Radar Detectors

[Bluestreek]

I just went to Wally world and got some industrial velcro and stuck it on my Front brake master cylinder. I have had the bike into tripple digits (on a track of coarse) and it has not budged. Takes only seconds to remove. I put it in any thing I drive. I also have the audio run thru my auto com.

 

[tcfjr]

Is there a good way to mount the V1 to the brake or clutch master cylinder? I'm going to break down & get the V1 and already have a TomTom GPS that I'm very fond of. I don't want to get the accessories shelf, so that leaves me thinking I mount one to the brake master cyl, the other to the clutch master cyl. Thoughts of good ways to mount them that won't bounce loose, but can be easily removed when she's parked?

I put industrial velcro (the 2" wide rolls you get at the home center) onto the brake reservoir for the main V-1 unit, and onto the clutch reservoir for the separate audio unit, and have 17k miles with no trouble. The power cables act as leashes in case I mismount it and hit a big pot hole, and it's easy to remove them when needed. The brake reservoir location give you good forward and backwards coverage, and if you happen to get stopped you can cover it with your helmet and not look too conspicuous.

 

[double_entendre]

Is there a good way to mount the V1 to the brake or clutch master cylinder? I'm going to break down & get the V1 and already have a TomTom GPS that I'm very fond of. I don't want to get the accessories shelf, so that leaves me thinking I mount one to the brake master cyl, the other to the clutch master cyl. Thoughts of good ways to mount them that won't bounce loose, but can be easily removed when she's parked?

I put industrial velcro (the 2" wide rolls you get at the home center) onto the brake reservoir for the main V-1 unit, and onto the clutch reservoir for the separate audio unit, and have 17k miles with no trouble. The power cables act as leashes in case I mismount it and hit a big pot hole, and it's easy to remove them when needed. The brake reservoir location give you good forward and backwards coverage, and if you happen to get stopped you can cover it with your helmet and not look too conspicuous.

I was reading abou the Dual Lock and thinking that might be the way to go.

Also, with all the text on the top of the master cylinder resevoirs, do I want to grind that off so that I've got a smooth surface to attach the Dual Lock to?

Thanks again guys; really appreciate the input and opportunity to learn from your experience. :clapping:

Bob

Rancho Cucamonga, CA

 

[Warchild]

Also, with all the text on the top of the master cylinder resevoirs, do I want to grind that off so that I've got a smooth surface to attach the Dual Lock to?

Yes, you absolutely want to grind down the text so you can achieve a superior grip. This way you won't have to watch your mega-$$$ V1 go tumbling down the road.... :blink:

 

[double_entendre]

Also, with all the text on the top of the master cylinder resevoirs, do I want to grind that off so that I've got a smooth surface to attach the Dual Lock to?

Yes, you absolutely want to grind down the text so you can achieve a superior grip. This way you won't have to watch your mega-$$$ V1 go tumbling down the road.... :blink:

*hack hack spit spit* Yeah, that would be not good. :dead:

Do I need to buy the remote audio adapter from Valentine if I want to plug it into my Autocom (Pro 7, IIRC)? I don't recall if that Autocom has enough ports for my iPod simultaneously or not. Hmmmmmm. Something to look at when I get home.

Bob

Rancho Cucamonga, CA

 

[Groo]

Yes, you'll need the audio adapter... sucks... but that's life.

I've got a good way of mounting the V1 to/near the brake reservoir... I've posted pics of it in the past... let me see if I can dig it up.

Edit: Here it is... the V1 is mounted on a bracket that uses the 2 front screws for the Brake reservoir, and then uses a short RAM arm attached to a magnetic power plate. You glue a steel plate to the bottom of the V1, then you can attach/remove the detector when leaving/returning to the bike. When on, the V1 doesn't budge. To remove, you twist the V1 parallel to the plate, and the steel plate rides up out of an indentation... really easy to do once you know the trick.

And here's how it looks when you're seated... doesn't cover any of the instruments, and easy to see the indicators once alerted by the audio signals.

 

[I'mAllIn]

Three cars in the driveway and all have V1s hardwired in them. Wouldn't go anywhere without it. I had a Passport years ago and switched to V1 in about '94. The first one I ordered, Mike Valantine picked up the phone and took the order.........pretty kewl! This guy is obssesed with finding radar. Also, V1s are upgradable when new technology is available. I recently updated my oldest one for $136.00. Beats the hell out of buying a new one every few years.

Still trying to figure out where to mount on the FJR. I like my farkles to be hidden, so I'm leaning toward the tank bag set-up that another member here has, along with the remote display. Audio wired through my newly added Starcom Advance.

Can't go wrong with V1....!

 

[double_entendre]

Yes, you'll need the audio adapter... sucks... but that's life.
I've got a good way of mounting the V1 to/near the brake reservoir... I've posted pics of it in the past... let me see if I can dig it up.

Edit: Here it is... the V1 is mounted on a bracket that uses the 2 front screws for the Brake reservoir, and then uses a short RAM arm attached to a magnetic power plate. You glue a steel plate to the bottom of the V1, then you can attach/remove the detector when leaving/returning to the bike. When on, the V1 doesn't budge. To remove, you twist the V1 parallel to the plate, and the steel plate rides up out of an indentation... really easy to do once you know the trick.

<Image snipped>

And here's how it looks when you're seated... doesn't cover any of the instruments, and easy to see the indicators once alerted by the audio signals.

<Image snipped>

Oh now that is too. Damned. Cool. Do you just sit up nights over a bottle of tawny port (or a six pack of Bud Light--whatever ) and think about cool and functional ways to do things differently? Damn I like that. Too intricate for me to do on short notice, but certainly it has potential for the future.

No issues with the magnetic fields and the radar detector? I mean, obviously not, but that was my first thought.

Thanks a ton for posting those pics. I'll definitely file those away for future reference.

Damn that's tight

Bob

Rancho Cucamonga, CA

 

[PerfectBlueride]

Arrows matter because you don't know if the LEO is in front/behind/beside of you otherwise... or if there are multiple bogeys, whether 1 is in front, and 2 behind, etc.... Say your radar is going off, with 2 targets id'd... you pass a LEO and a grocery store... is that all of them? What if there's another one over the next hill? You might be inclined to say that what you saw was "it" and start to wick it up... when in reality, that cop was eating a donut on his break, the grocery store doesn't have automatic doors, and there's a trap right over that upcoming hill...

Even though this did not happen on a bike, in 1981 when traveling back to NC off of leave, with my first radar detector a whistler, it started to go off and I saw a cager in a lot on the horizone

This is great! I thought to myself, I have time to slow down he is blocked by the building now! <_<

Then all the sudden I pass a unmarked sitting on the side of the road

Damm I think the radar dectector warned my but at 19 I was just to dam smart!

needless to say I hurried and parked jumped out raised the hood to pertend I was having trouble

That officer just had a B) look on his face and there was my first and only ticket while using a dectector.

For me any work well because I mainly like that they pick up something out on the road, which is cause to get off the trottle! Great thing about a bikes ability to drop speed quicky more so than a car.

There is a radio shack in the area going out of business they have 20% off of them so there is a cobra for 80.00 with audio out plug.

Will probally grab one tomorrow for the bike.

 

[Rogue]

I've got a Cobra that's saved my arse more than once and an X50 that I'm going to swap it for next time I'm digging into the dash.

My only problem with the Cobra is that the X band goes off all the time and no one around here uses X band. It gets set off by repeater towers I think. On the X50 I can turn X band off.

 

[Groo]

To echo what Charlie said, and to further answer Bob's question... I called Valentine and spoke to one of their techs about possible interference with the signal or electronics by placing it in the magnetic field... they said they'd tested it, and it had no effect.

Charlie, Interesting sounding setup... so your V1 is sitting about where my GPS is? That would be a good place to put it as well...

Bob, glad you liked the setup... it works really well for me. And I can't claim I was the one to think that up... I saw a post from someone else on another forum and copied it...

At times when I might have had to pull over to talk to a LEO (not necessarily ending in a performance award), I take my helmet off and put it on top of the V1....

 

[HaulinAshe]

Been riding the 05 and using an Escort 8500 for about two months now. You really don't have any idea how many tickets a detector saves you. But you will be very aware of the one that it does not! :angry2:

I think combining the info from a detector with a good watch on traffic patterns is the key. Instant-on is going to award you the ticket if you are first in line. And on an FJR at 100 mph plus, you are normally first in line.

My 8500 has been mounted three different ways so far. Currently on a Top Gun ECM shelf and honestly would not recommend it. The shelf is fine workmanship, but it does not fit the look of the FJR. Looks like it belongs on a 1985 Gold Wing.

The RAM ball mount that uses the handlebar clamp screws looks promising. But lots of bulk and gadgetry there too. Somebody really just needs to make an open-ended box that uses the reservoir screw positions to attach.

Read one comment a while back on this forum about things mounted. Always tether anything you don't want to run over. Doesn't matter how much velcro etc. you have, it WILL fall off sometime. I use stainless steel fishing leaders with swivel ends to safety wire things to the bike. At 135 mph everything vibrates and you don't have time to catch it!

My younger cager buddies all swear by the V1. I have to say the 8500 is not bad and it does have the ability to upgrade firmware later in life, like the V1. So it's a definitely better product than Escort's prior models that were, what they were, with no hope of updating.

If you suffer any colorblindness (like I do) then the blue version is worth it's weight in gold. Great display. You will need more. I have an unopened Radar Screamer if you want a deal. Don't want everyone within 100 feet of me hearing it go off.

Have considered a HEAD helmet display, but it's only red. Currently waiting on a new intercom system that's promised to come out any day. Is bluetooth and includes radar detector override for audio.

I place more value on the audio alert than the visual. Sound gets my attention quicker. Then I quick glance the detector display to see what's up while simultaneously grabbing a handful of front brake. Third action is to scan the area for LEO. Final action is to adjust speed and the wad in my undies!

My best (and probably only useful) piece of advice...

Remember the detector is not coupled to the front brake. Buy it, set up good auxillary warning devices. Then go out and practice reacting to the signals. Ride for at least a couple weeks before you consider twisting hard on the right grip. If you are over 40 (like me) there's no way you are going to react fast enough to do any real good at 100 plus. So use the detector as an aid to help you stay alert and avoid speeding in stupid places (where LEO is expected to park).

FWIW

 

[Feejer/Weejer man]

I installed inside my tankbag, out of site out of mind. i use an external LED visual. V1 not visible to anyone including the leo's. Probably not the best for detection but hasn't let me down just yet.

 

[SouthernCruizer]

I use this one

have it mounted under my Garmin 2610 on the Ram Mount on clutch cylinder. Comes with extra flashing LED which I mounted on the right of the LCD Readout in the fairing. You can also get the wireless helmet attachment with LED light so it can be placed right in your line of site. I mounted the antenna under the fairing. The entire unit (antenna and display unit) is waterproof. Also, display unit shows temp and voltage.

Jay

'04 FJR 1300

 

[Bike Effects]

My Valentine resides in a pouch in the side of my rear seat bag. It is not visible at any time. The Audio Adapter is mounted here. I have the Valentine secondary visual display mounted here.

 

[Woodstock]

A while ago, I saw a picture of a very trick V1 mount strapped under the chin piece of the FJR, was reasonably decrete. Unfortunately, I think that under hard braking or compression of the front forks that it risks being hit by the front fender. Not sure if a tighter suspension setting would eliminate that as a problem. Other than that, though, very nice install.

I've got mine on a right hand RAM power plate, like many others here.

 

[Fred H.]

I have had owned three different Valentine models over the years. They are good detectors, BUT there is one nagging problem with them, that many folks seem to overlook.

While they have good sensitivity, they have a slow response time. There is a noticible delay between the reception of a signal, and the alert. This delay is in many cases, enough time to prevent you from being able to react in time. I have spoken with the folks at Valentine One about it, and it is caused by the reciever having to scan such a wide frequency band. The single reciever has to time slice the frequencies, and as they keep adding more (like POP and Ku bands) it only increases the delay. I have personally seen delays of 2 seconds or more on my new Pop enabled V1.

There is also a large delay of when the direction arrows change. Watch next time you pass a known radar source how long it takes the arrows to shift. This will show you just how long it is taking the reciever to cycle through all the frequencies it has to monitor.

I do like the V1, but they really need to find a way to decrease the delay it has. For that reason, I probably won't buy another one, and will go with a different brand next time.

 

[sparky3008]

I have had owned three different Valentine models over the years. They are good detectors, BUT there is one nagging problem with them, that many folks seem to overlook.
While they have good sensitivity, they have a slow response time. There is a noticible delay between the reception of a signal, and the alert. This delay is in many cases, enough time to prevent you from being able to react in time. I have spoken with the folks at Valentine One about it, and it is caused by the reciever having to scan such a wide frequency band. The single reciever has to time slice the frequencies, and as they keep adding more (like POP and Ku bands) it only increases the delay. I have personally seen delays of 2 seconds or more on my new Pop enabled V1.

There is also a large delay of when the direction arrows change. Watch next time you pass a known radar source how long it takes the arrows to shift. This will show you just how long it is taking the reciever to cycle through all the frequencies it has to monitor.

I do like the V1, but they really need to find a way to decrease the delay it has. For that reason, I probably won't buy another one, and will go with a different brand next time.

I thought you could turn the POP off?

 

[Groo]

Fred -

Interesting comments... I've not noticed any appreciable delay on my V1... it seems to alert me way too early in many cases, and when I ride with friends who have other brands, my alerts seem to come as fast as theirs do.

W/regard to the directional arrows... if the delay you're noticing is in the change from one set of arrows to another, is that a big deal? If it wasn't a known source, and it delayed in changing, what's the impact? You still know it's there, and it's gone from front to back... just a second or two later? I'm not sure I get the significance.

Sparky, you can turn the POP off...

 

[Geezer]

-snip- My only problem with the Cobra is that the X band goes off all the time and no one around here uses X band. It gets set off by repeater towers I think. On the X50 I can turn X band off.

I have been annoyed by the X band going off all the time when in town, but recently while riding in a rural section of northwestern NJ I had X go off. There being no stores ot other buildings in the area I did slow down, and a then I spotted a LEO coming towards me. I guess the rural areas are getting the old equipment that the LEOs in more populated areas give up when they move to more sophisticated equipment. So, I leave the X band enabled and use the mute button, which is on the front of the X50, when it starts to annoy me.